Talking doll

ABSTRACT

A doll having a microphone and sound recording device along with a sound playback device and a speaker. The doll is provided with contacts or buttons to activate the sound recording device and the sound playback device. A child may speak to the doll and record messages, which may be played back at a later time.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a doll.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Dolls are commonly used as toys by children. Whilst children enjoy dollsas play items, dolls also perform an important function in thedevelopment of children's understanding of human relationships. In theirplay, children often treat dolls as though they were real, that is,children relate to dolls in the same way that they relate to people.Thus, dolls actually provide an important educational medium for achild's development of understanding human relationships.

This is further enhanced by the high degree of realism that is to befound in dolls appearance, clothing, movement, etc.

An important part of human behaviour which is learnt by a child is thedevelopment of trusting relationships with friends, family and otherpeople. A significant aspect of such human relationships is the exchangeand sharing of feelings and conversations in confidence. People tellthings which are private or important to them only to certain friends orfamily.

A doll is thus a suitable medium to use in assisting children inlearning about such human relationships in a realistic way and one whichchildren will understand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a doll which is able to digitally recordsounds and later playback the recorded sounds. Typically, these soundsare messages which are spoken to the doll by a child and which can belater played back and listened to by the child.

According to the present invention there is provided a doll comprising:

digital sound recording means for recording sounds in a firstoperational condition of the doll;

sound playback means for playing back sounds recorded in said digitalsound recording means in a second operational condition of the doll;

first activation means actuable to activate said digital sound recordingmeans in said first operational condition of the doll;

second activation means actuable to activate said sound playback meansin said second operational condition of the doll; and,

a light provided on the doll in a location which is visible to the user,said light being operatively connected to said first activation meansand adapted to illuminate when said first activation means is actuatedto activate said digital sound recording means in said first operationalcondition of the doll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a doll inaccordance with the present invention partly showing the interiorthereof;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the doll shown in FIG. 1 with the cover plateof the power source compartment removed;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the doll shown in FIG. 1 partly showing theinterior thereof;

FIGS. 4A to 4F are sequential views showing the operation of the dollshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a doll inaccordance with the present invention partly showing the interiorthereof;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the doll shown in FIG. 5 partly showing theinterior thereof; and

FIGS. 7A to 7C are sequential views showing the operation of the dollshown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1 to 4F there is shown a doll 10 in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention. The doll 10 comprises a torso 12and limbs in the form of a pair of arms 14 and 16 and a pair of legs 18and 20. The arms 14, 16 and at least the leg 18 are resiliently attachedto the torso 12 so that they can move relative to the torso 12. The doll10 is also provided with a head 22 attached to the torso 12 by a neck23.

The arm 14 is provided with a contact 24. The arm 16 is provided with acontact 26. The leg 18 is provided with a contact 28. The contacts 24,26 and 28 are provided at the outer surface of the doll 10.

Preferably, the contact 24 is provided in the thumb 30 of the hand 32 ofthe arm 14.

Preferably, the contact 26 is provided in the palm 34 of the hand 36 ofthe arm 16.

Preferably, the contact 28 is provided in the large toe 38 of the foot40 of the leg 18.

The doll 10 is further provided with digital sound recording means andsound playback

The digital sound recording means is activated by first activation meansand the sound playback means is activated by second activation means.

Preferably, the digital sound recording means and sound playback meansare provided in the torso 12.

The digital sound recording means comprises a microphone 42 connected toa digital recording device 44 to record sound.

The sound playback means comprises a device 46 to play sound previouslyrecorded and a speaker 48.

The devices 44 and 46 permit the sound to be digitally recorded andplayed back.

The devices 44 and 46 may be provided on a circuit board 50.

The contact 24 is connected to the digital sound recording device 44 bya lead 54. The contact 26 is connected to the digital sound recordingdevice 44 and the sound playback device 46 by a lead 56.

The first activation means comprises the contacts 24 and 26.

The contact 28 is connected to the sound playback device 46 by a lead58.

The second activation means comprises the contacts 26 and 28.

A power source is provided for the doll 10.

The power source may be a battery pack 60 housed in a compartment 62 atthe rear of the doll 10.

A cover plate 64 may be provided to cover the compartment 62.

A light 66 may be provided on the doll 10 and illuminates in a firstoperational condition of the doll 10, viz. in the record mode. The light60 is connected to other components by leads 67.

The leads 54,56,58 and 67 are located inside the doll 10.

Preferably, the light 66 is provided on an ear 69 of the doll 10 tosimulate an earring.

The manner of operation and use of the doll 10 of the first embodimentof the present invention will now be described with reference to thedrawings.

In a non-operational condition of the doll 10, the arms 14,16 and thelegs 18,20 are spaced apart, as shown in FIGS. 1-4A and 4D.

The arms 14 and 16 can be moved from their spaced apart condition towardone another to bring the contacts 24 and 26 into contact to actuate thefirst activation means. This is shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. In thisposition, the thumb 30 of the hand 32 is received in the palm 34 of thehand 36. This activates the digital second recording means to place thedoll 10 into its first operational condition.

In the first operational condition of the doll 10, the digital soundrecording means is activated and sounds picked up by the microphone 42are recorded by the digital sound recording device 44. Thus, a user(typically a child) may speak to the doll 10 and record messages.

The arms 14 and 16 are arranged such that they can be moved together, asshown in FIG. 4C, and when released return to the position as shown inFIG. 4D (and FIG. 4A).

The digital recording device 44 is de-activated when the contact betweenthe contacts 24 and 26 is broken. This occurs when the arms 14 and 16are released. The arms 14 and 16 then return to their spaced apartcondition, as shown in FIG. 4D.

The arm 16 and the leg 18 can be brought toward one another, from theirspaced apart condition, to bring the contacts 26 and 28 into contactwith one another to actuate the second activation means. This is shownin FIGS. 4E and 4F. In the position shown in FIG. 4F, the large toe 38of the foot 40 is received in the palm 34 of the hand 36. This activatesthe sound playback means to place the doll 10 into its secondoperational condition.

In the second operational condition of the doll 10, the playback device46 will playback the sound which was previously recorded by the digitalrecording device 44. The sound played back is then heard through thespeaker 48. Thus, the child can listen to messages previously recorded.

When the contact between the contacts 26 and 28 is broken, the playbackdevice 46 is de-activated and the doll 10 is returned to thenon-operational condition. This occurs when the arms 14 and 16 arereleased. The arms 14 and 16 then return to their spaced apartcondition, as shown in FIG. 4A.

The arms 14,16 and at least the leg 18 are resiliently attached to thetorso 12 such that the arms 14 and 16, and the arm 16 and leg 18 can bebrought together and return to their spaced apart condition whenreleased.

The contacts 24 and 26, and the contacts 26 and 28 make contact so longas the arms 14 and 16, and the arm 16 and leg 18 are held together.

The torso 12 is comprised of resilient material.

The digital sound recording means may provide for more than one messageto be recorded. The sound playback means may provide for a selectedrecorded message to be played back. The message desired for playback canthen be selected by contacting the contacts 26 and 28, the correspondingnumber of times.

Thus, if it is desired to listen to the third message recorded by thedigital sound recording means, then the contacts 26 and 28 are contactedthree times in quick succession.

Preferably, the doll 10 is of a size which permits one handed operationby a child.

For example, the doll 10 may be approximately 10 cm in height.

Accordingly, the doll 10 may be used by the user cradling the doll 10 inhis/her hand 68.

The user can then bring the arms 14 and 16 together using the middlefinger 70 and throb 72 of his/her hand 68. This places the doll 10 intothe first operational condition. This is shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C.

When the user releases the arms 14 and 16, they return to the spacedapart condition.

This is the non-operational condition of the doll 10. This is shown inFIG. 4D.

The user can then bring the arm 16 and leg 18 together using the shortfinger 74 (and ring finger 76 if needed) and thumb 72 of his/her hand68. This places the doll 10 into the second operational condition. Thisis shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F.

When the user releases the arm 16 and leg 18, they return to the spacedapart condition, shown in FIG. 4D.

The doll 10 can be operated in this way using the right or left hand ofthe user.

The doll 10 of the present invention may be used by a child to recordmessages and later playback the recorded messages.

In FIGS. 5 to 7C, there is shown a doll 10 in accordance with a secondembodiment of the present invention.

The doll 10 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7C is identical to the doll 10 shown inFIGS. 1 to 4F except that the leads 54,56 and 58 and the contacts 24,26and 28 are replaced by press buttons 82 and 84. Thus, the same referencenumbers are used in FIGS. 5 to 7C as were used in FIGS. 1 to 4F.

The first and second activation means comprise the press buttons 82 and84, respectively.

The press button 82 (sound record) may be provided in the torso 12 atthe side 86 of the doll 10.

The press button 84 (sound playback) may be provided in the torso 12 atthe tummy or navel 88 of the doll 10.

The sound recording means (microphone 42 and sound recording device 44)and sound playback means (sound playback device 46 and speaker 48) alongwith the first and second activation means (press buttons 82 and 84) maybe housed in a module 90 in the torso 12 of the doll 10 shown in FIGS. 5to 7C, with the press buttons 82 and 84 protruding from the module 90.(Such a module 90 is also used in the doll 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4F,although it has not ben shown in the drawings.)

The manner of operation and use of the doll 10 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7Cwill now be described with reference to the drawings.

In a non-operational condition of the doll 10, the doll 10 is in neithera sound recording or sound playback condition.

The first activation means can be actuated to activate the digital soundrecording means.

This is done by pressing the torso 12 at the side 86 of the doll 10.This depresses the press button 82 which activates the digital soundrecording means, in the first operational condition of the doll 10, sothat sounds picked up by the microphone 42 are recorded by the digitalsound recording device 44. Thus, a user (typically a child) may speak tothe doll 10 and record messages. When the pressure is removed from thetorso 12 at the side 86 of the doll 10, the press button 82 is releasedand the first operational condition of the doll 10 ceases. Thisdeactivates the digital recording device 44.

The doll 10 may be pressed at the rummy or navel 88 to depress the pressbutton 84 in the second operational condition of the doll 10. In thissecond operational condition of the doll 10, the playback device 46 willplay back the sound which was previously recorded by the digitalrecording device 44. The sound played back is then heard through thespeaker 48. Thus, the child is able to listen to messages previouslyrecorded. When pressure is removed from the tummy or navel region 88,the press button 84 is released and the playback device 46 isdeactivated and the doll 10 returns to its non-operational condition.

The digital sound recording means may provide for more than one messageto be recorded, and the sound playback means may provide for a selectedrecorded message to be played back. The message desired for playback canthen be selected by depressing the tummy or navel region 88 of the doll10 to depress the press button 84 the corresponding number of times.Thus, if it is desired to listen to the third message recorded by thedigital sound recording means, then the tummy or navel region 88 ispressed to depress the press button 84 three times in quick succession.

The doll 10 may be of a size which permits one handed operation by achild.

In such a case, the doll 10 may be used by the child cradling the doll10 in his/her hand 68.

This is shown in FIGS. 7A-7C.

The child can then press the side 86 of the doll 10 with his/her ringfinger 76 to activate the digital sound recording means. This places thedoll 10 into the first operational condition and is shown in FIG. 7A.

When the child releases pressure from the side 86 of the doll 10, thedoll 10 returns to its non-operational condition. This is shown in FIG.7B.

The child may then press the tummy or navel region 88 with his/her thumb72. This places the doll 10 into the second operational condition. Thisis shown in FIG. 7C.

When the child releases his/her thumb 72 from the rummy or navel region88, the doll 10 returns to its non-operational condition as shown inFIG. 7B.

The first activation means of the doll 10 (shown in FIGS. 1 to 4F) maybe used in place of (or in addition to) the first activation means ofthe doll 10 (shown in FIGS. 5 to 7C) and vice versa.

Similarly, the second activation means of the doll 10 (shown in FIGS. 1to 4F) may be used in place of (or in addition to) the second activationmeans of the doll 10 (shown in FIGS. 5 to 7C) and vice versa.

The present invention enables a child to speak to the doll 10. Messagesspoken to the doll 10, can be digitally recorded. The child is then ableto listen to the doll 10, speak the messages previously spoken to (andrecorded by) the doll 10.

Modifications and variation such as would be apparent to a skilledaddressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. A doll comprising:adigital sound recording means for recording sounds in a firstoperational condition of the doll; sound playback means for playing backsounds recorded in said digital sound recording means in a secondoperational condition of the doll; first activation means actuable toactivate said digital sound recording means in said first operationalcondition of the doll; second activation means actuable to active saidsound playback means in said second operational condition of the doll; alight provided on the doll in a location which is visible to the user,said light being operatively connected to said first activation meansand adapted to illuminate when said first activation means is actuatedto activate said digital sound recording means in said first operationalcondition of the doll; and, a torso with a head attached to said torsoand wherein said light is located on the head of the doll, and furtherwherein said light is provided on an ear of the doll's head so as togive the appearance of an earring or ear stud, and wherein said doll isprovided with limbs attached to said torso and said first activationmeans comprises a first contact and a second contact provided on a firstlimb and a second limb respectively of said doll, said first and secondlimbs being resiliently attached to said torso to permit said first andsecond limbs to move toward one another so as to bring said first andsecond contacts into contact whereby, in use, the doll can be switchedfrom a non-operational condition to said first operational condition,and wherein said second activation means comprises said second contactand a third contact provided on a third limb of said doll, said thirdlimb being resiliently attached to said torso to permit said second andthird limbs to move toward one another so as to bring said second andthird contact into contact whereby, in use, the doll can be switchedfrom a non-operational condition to said second operational condition.2. A doll according to claim 1, wherein said first and second limbs arethe arms of said doll.
 3. A doll according to claim 2, wherein saidfirst contact is provided at a finger of one hand of said doll and saidsecond contact is provided at the palm of the other hand of said doll.4. A doll according to claim 1, wherein said second and third limbs arean arm and a leg, respectively, of said doll.
 5. A doll according toclaim 4, wherein said second contact is provided at the palm of a handof said doll and said third contact is provided at a foot of said doll.6. A doll according to claim 1, wherein said digital sound recordingmeans comprises a microphone and a digital sound recording device.
 7. Adoll according to claim 1, wherein said sound playback means comprises asound playback device and a loudspeaker.
 8. A doll according to claim 1,wherein said torso is adapted to fit in the palm of a child's hand andsaid first and second activation means are actuable using the fingersand/or thumb of the same hand.